When I was at the store the other day, I found myself meandering around the craft aisle. It’s not exactly a place I’d usually find myself, but something caught my eye that made me think of CeCe. The aisle was lined with different markers, crayons, colored pencils, and sidewalk chalk. The marker package that caught my eye said scented markers.
I remember flipping open the package and grabbing the blue marker that read blueberry, holding it up to my nose. To my surprise, it actually smelled like blueberries, giving me hope that the rest of the package would also ring true to their descriptions, so of course I had to buy them.
Tossing the pack of markers into my purse, I reach for a jacket since it’s already drizzling outside. I don’t know exactly why Chase needs my help this afternoon, but whatever the reason, I don’t mind. I had no plans aside from watching whatever documentary I could find.
“Again, sorry this was last minute,” Chase apologizes the moment I walk through the door. He’s already dressed and ready to go, backward hat and a pair of jeans with a dark green t-shirt.
Simple. Mouthwatering.
“You don’t need to apologize, I’m happy to help.” I wave him off, walking past him.
CeCe is eating a bowl of strawberries at the kitchen island when I place my things down beside her and casually toss the markers in her direction, giving her a smile and a wink.
“Theseare real scented markers,” I say, giving her shoulder a little squeeze as I pass by.
Chase follows me back into the kitchen as I’m tossing my phone in my purse. His boots sound like they’re scraping up his wood floors, but he continues to drag his feet across the kitchen, heading toward a drawer at the end. He pulls out a small notebook, maybe it’s a planner? It’s a little bit bigger than an address book.
“Oh, is that your little black book full of phone numbers?” I tease, biting the strawberry I snatched from CeCe’s bowl.
His brows crease and the veins on his forearms protrude as he flexes holding the paper.
“Hilarious.” He doesn’t look up as he sifts through a couple pages before stopping on one, folding the notebook and turning it toward me.
“This has every important number you might need while I’m gone. I know Abby gave you a run down, but I’ve been meaning to show you this.” He clears his throat before he continues. “It’s got, uh, her doctor, my coach, some of the guys on the defense with me, my mom is in here… um, oh, my publicist. The doorman downstairs is in here too if you need anything, his name is Dave. Obviously, you know 911.” His finger trails down the page like he’s going through a checklist with me.
“Hold on. Who is 911?”
His eyes shoot to mine, clearly not fond of my joke as they sear into me.
“Kincaid,” he says through clenched teeth.
“I’m kidding, just a joke. Clearly an ill-timed joke. Everything will be fine. This isn’t my first rodeo, but I promise I’ll refer to the notebook if there are any issues,” I assure him, patting his shoulder as I walk toward the living room.
He sighs and leans over, kissing CeCe on top of the head.
“She has ten more minutes of that iPad and then it goes off.”
I give him a double thumbs up and grab the blanket from the ottoman, tossing it over me as I sink into his couch. I just want to become one with this sofa, I could melt right into it.
“Where are you going anyway?” I ask, wondering if it’s even my business, but curious minds and all of that.
“Apparently”—he sighs heavily—“I agreed to do a radio ad. They must’ve caught me in a good mood because I hate this shit.”
“You’re doingmedia?” I emphasize. “So, like, did they ask you on Christmas?”
“I think it was the other night when you finally left my house. I was relieved and I guess I would’ve said yes to anything.”
My eyes widen as I look back at him, almost with pride at his quick witted response.
“I’m sorry, was that a joke?” I can’t help but smile at his attempt.
“I’ve got to get going,” he says, completely ignoring me.
“Did you just joke with me? Where’s my phone? Do it again so I can record you.”
“Kincaid.” The roughness in his voice causes me to blush at the simple use of my name.
“Use that growly voice in your ad. It’ll catch people’s attention when they’re listening.”
